







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| What's your favourite movie? | |
| I want to try the sauvignon blanc. | |
| It's not a nice thing to say to a woman... | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| Yeah, I'll have a beer, I guess you want wine, Cate? | |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
| Of course, oh, there is a half-eaten pizza in the oven. | |
| Good point, I'm sure they don't pay that much! | |
| I am 24. | |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | |
| I guess I can meet you there at 20:30, or is it too late? | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | |
| Where are you? | |
| How old are you? | |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
| Exactly, so do you think snails are bugs or not? | |
| Hmm.. I think it's overdue. | |